Nutcracker
by heavensgirl
WARNING: Characters are OOC… and this story might be partly fluff. Oh, the horror.
Happy Holidays to all!
"How was the meeting?" a deep, masculine voice asked. The petite woman next to him sighed deeply and let her eyes drop to the floor.
"Don't ask…" she replied, tucking strands of hair behind her ear. The man walking beside her tilted his head and examined her. Small, dark circles were already forming under her eyes; her cheeks were tinted pink, and her posture slumped.
Heero walked closer to the young diplomat and rested an arm comfortably on her shoulder. She shuddered at the contact but sighed again and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you."
"Care to explain what happened in the conference?" he asked, opening the two glass doors, while Relena sighed for the umpteenth time. She looked at the small path before her and felt sick as she tried to imagine walking along the stretched road. The meeting left her exhausted, so she inwardly groaned at the prospect of having to walk even more than her body wanted.
Heero noticed the slight frustration in her eyes, and without waiting for any further reply from his lovely companion, he concluded that her conference caused her fatigue. Her latest project had attracted many citizens in the colonies, but some of the elder leaders in the ESUN argued that the project would cost a significant amount of money.
They walked in silence, Heero continually scanning the nearly empty parking lot for any sign of danger. The sky was already dark, blanketed with tiny lights and the crescent moon hovered them. Relena observed them and smiled – the night sky reminded her of Heero's eyes.
"What are you smiling about?" the stern voice of her bodyguard inquired. She laughed.
She took Heero's arm. "It's just… the sky reminds me of your eyes. They're Prussian blue, right?" The boy nodded and stared as she traced imaginary patterns in the heavens. "There's always that intensity in your eyes that leaves me so… intrigued."
"… Intensity?" How can there be intensity in his eyes?
"Yes, Heero. Your eyes are windows to your soul. You are bound by duty, but still dedicate time to your friends. I know you care, Heero. I know…"
Heero blinked twice before opening the passenger door and letting the young woman inside. How can she see that in him?
Relena skipped towards the front doors of her estate, Heero casually walking not too far from her. The ex-pilot of the Wing Gundam smirked at her child-like manner. After more than five years of being Relena's personal bodyguard, he witnessed firsthand the strength and poise she held as Vice Foreign Minister of the Earth Sphere Unified Nation. She was a formidable woman in a political world filled with people intent on bringing her down. Heero admired her strength and determination. He marveled at the way she handled herself even though her VFM post kept her busy.
"Where are my keys? Heero have you seen–" she stopped as Heero handed her the brass key.
Inside, she dropped the stack of folders on the coffee table and plopped down on the nearest couch. Locking the door, Heero sat across from her while checking his watch.
"You should rest."
She laughed, waving her hand. "I don't have work tomorrow, thank goodness. Don't worry Heero, I want to stay up all night. It's a tradition."
He gave her a raised eyebrow. She giggled.
"Oh, Heero! Don't you remember? It's Christmas Eve today! And I always open my presents when the clock strikes twelve! But first, let's have some dinner!" She stood up and gestured for Heero to follow her in the estate's dining room.
The two of them ate their small dinner heartily. While Heero remained silent, Relena cheerfully shared some of her new project proposals for the upcoming new year. She also informed Heero that her brother was planning to visit in a week.
Relena glanced at the grandfather clock and sighed annoyingly. They have two more hours to wait until they can open the presents. She drummed her delicate fingers on the table, watching – even glaring – at the time. It was mocking her.
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
She continued watching the clock.
"Impatient, aren't we?"
She glared at Heero, who was smirking.
"What are you smirking about?"
Without a reply, Heero stood up and took her hand, their fingers fitting perfectly. "If you can't wait any longer, then let's just open them right now." He motioned for her to sit with him near the base of her Christmas tree, which they had assembled together at the beginning of the month.
An hour later, the only presents left for them are their gifts for each other. Heero, although he didn't show it, eagerly unwrapped his present and was completely surprised.
Keys.
Relena leaned in and whispered in his ear, "It's at the garage. A blue convertible."
It was a generous gift. How did she know that he needed a new car?
"Thank you…"
Relena smiled as Heero handed her his present. "I'm not sure if you'll like it."
With a childish grin, she opened the small box and gasped. "It's beautiful, Heero." It was a bracelet, adorned with an intricate pattern of red and blue precious stones. Relena enthusiastically wore it on her slim wrist and held it high for a closer look.
Silence.
Heero cleared his throat awkwardly. "I better go to the surveillance room…"
Heero started to stand up, but Relena's small hand stopped him from doing so. "Dance with me, Heero."
"… What?"
"Dance with me." Relena placed a disk on the player and pressed the red button for 'Play.' As the first notes of the piece started, Relena placed both of her hands on Heero's neck, while her companion hesitantly placed his hands on her waist.
"The music sounds so familiar…" Heero thought out loud. Relena nodded.
"It's called the 'Waltz of Flowers' from the Nutcracker. It's one of my favorite stories when I was a little girl."
Heero nodded distractedly; his heart was beating wildly at their proximity. Relena leaned her head and her breath tickled his neck.
He was still adjusting himself to his newfound relationship with Relena. They certainly weren't dating (although a part of him oddly wanted to), but since his job was to be her bodyguard, they settled for the awkward bodyguard/client relationship. Still, his friendship with Relena helped him appreciate life in a peaceful era, a far cry from his time as a Gundam pilot. The girl was always patient with him. It was a good feeling, although it always bothered him why this woman spent a considerable portion of her free time to help him adjust.
But he knew why: she loves him. He found out about her feelings while he was checking her mansion's surveillance one day. He accidentally heard her conversation with Hilde, her best friend and Duo's girlfriend:
"Even if he doesn't reciprocate my feelings, I'll still do my best to make him happy. His happiness is my happiness. I love him…"
Heero tilted his head up and closed his eyes as the two of them danced gently beside the tree, the music flowing and echoing around the room.
Yes, he did return her feelings, but how should he tell her? And for the first time in his life, Heero felt afraid. What if she rejected him? A cold-hearted, stoic, anti-social man falling in love with a peace-loving, gentle, beautiful young woman? Who would have thought?
"What are you thinking?" her soft voice snapped him from his thoughts.
He surprised her by pressing his lips to hers in a chaste kiss.
"Heero, you… we just-"
"Kissed," Heero finished her sentence.
She gazed at him, lips tingling. "You mean to tell me that…"
"Relena, you're the only one that truly understands my feelings. You taught me to appreciate life in this era of peace. Your heart belongs to me… and mine, yours."
A tear fell from Relena's eyes and trickled down her reddened cheek. "I… don't know what to say."
Heero embraced her. "Will you promise to wait until I'm ready to be in a relationship with you?"
Relena nodded. "I promise, Heero. I'll wait forever if I have to."
He nodded and released her from his embrace. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "I have to pick up something in my apartment. I'll be back soon."
Relena tugged at his jacket. "Relena?" Heero inquired.
She pointed at the grandfather clock. Midnight. "Merry Christmas, Heero."
"Merry Christmas, Relena."
Before closing the door behind him, he turned around and smiled. Relena returned it wholeheartedly. Relena noticed Heero's lips move inaudibly, but she understood his next words.
"I love you…"
Yeah, yeah, yeah… Heero is out of character… I know. But oh well. Please review ^_^
Yours truly, HG
Edited: 2/14/18